Colt Overseas

I think Diggs makes the most sense tbh.

I see were re-signing Ronnie Harrison. I'm OK with our situation at SS with Cross and Harrison. I thought Cross was good at SS when given the oppertunity, struggled against HOU in the last game, but that was at FS. But don't see much drop off from Blackmon to Cross. Harrsion is a solid backup. I'd like to sign a vet FS though.

Davis is a starting calibre DT. Great depth to have behind Buck and Grove. We’ve a lot of cap invested in the interior of both the oline and dline now thou.

Just wonder if Ballard is in discussions with fairly big name outside DB (Snead possibly) and that’s why we’re waiting on news with Kenny.

Justin Simmons will be very expensive for a team to sign now.

Is Byard’s contract a tad rich? For a guy just released. Understand he was once very good, but thats been a couple of years ago and he is in his 30s now. Was hoping the safety market would be cheap for us.

One would have to think that Ballard will be strongly interested in one of these free safeties given the issues we had in the position last season. Especially considering that opening TD the Texans scored in that pivotal game at the end of the season. It’s such an important position in Bradley C-3 defense.

Yeah I agree with that, his tape is good enough to be drafted somewhere in the 30s imo, high upside too.

Watching Edgerrin Cooper, I don’t know if there is a more Ballard-y type player in the draft. Long, athletic, great closing speed, I just get the feeling if Cooper is there at 46, he’ll be at the top of the remaining players on Ballard’s big board.

The market is looking strong now for DBs this year, which is good news for the Colts, who could do with some more vet experience in the secondary.

Wouldn’t rule out Latu at 15 too. He had a solid combine and would be suited to Bradley’s Leo defensive end role. Very refined pass rusher.

If we can’t get Moss back, I’d love to get Nyheim back. He and Taylor had a nice 1-2 punch a couple of years ago. Just wonder if he requesting a trade from the Colts kind of burnt some bridges though.

I taught Odunze would run faster, but he has more long speed than explosiveness. Might be able to get that down to the low 4.4s in his second attempt.

Hello BTJ

I think Troy Franklin will fall out of the first round for running in the 4.4s at 176lbs. Thought he could run faster given he is a vertical guy.

That 40 time by Mitchell is super impressive. His vertical game would be a great compliment to Pittman and Downs. He is an intelligent route runner too, Brett Kollmann did a good video on it recently.

Some rumours on Twitter/X that were interested in Packer's safety Darnell Savage.

I could see Ballard falling in love with Cooper Dejean this draft. Great athlete, high character, tough defender. I think he'll be thereabouts around 15.

Taught I post some of my impressions of the WRs outside the top 3 (MHJ, Nabers Odunze). Tier 2: Brian Thomas and Troy Franklin I think these 2 will go in the second half of the first round. Both are blazers obviously, but have good refinement in their route running. I think I have Thomas slightly higher as he has a more compact frame. Tier 3: Dez Walker and AD Mitchell I think these two go back of the first, start of the second. Both are really, good, I think you could put Walker in the second tier even, but maybe doesn't have the height/weight/speed as Thomas or Franklin, but he still has plenty nonetheless! Mitchell also has a high ceiling but he is a little inconsistent. Tier 4: Keon Coleman, Xavier Leggette, Xavier Worthy I dont know where to put Coleman to be honest. If he can run in the 4.4s, I'll put him in the tier above. But I'm just not sure will he succeed at the next level on contested catch ability alone. But as I said, if he has some vertical speed with that jump ball ability, then I could see him being a real problem in the next level. If we don't go WR in the first round, my bet would be Ballard drafts Leggette in the second. Not just because of measurables, but he comes across as a high character guy, 5th year senior who worked his way up the depth chart from the gunner to South Carolina's WR1. If he wasn't going to be 23yo when drafted he could be going higher.

I agree on what he thinks of the Free Safety position. Xavier McKinney jumps out as that sort mid tier FA guy, 3yr30m, that Ballard loves to acquire. PFF says he is generally deployed as a FS, grading him in the top 10 in coverage (81.4). I'm not so sure we will see Julian Blackmon back this year like most think. I think he'll give the SS job to Nick Cross with Harrison as backup. Then make a move in the FA at FS.

The biggest takeaway I got from the presser is that Gus Bradley is under contract next season and that Ballard pretty much outright said he’ll be back next season. I think that closes that discussion. He seemed deeply unhappy with the explosive plays on defense given up, and by extension the Free Safety play. Cross is an SS and Thomas is a late round pick that just isn’t good. I expect an acquisition here as a priority this spring. He also said that some of the issues defensively were on him with regards to personnel.

I'd love for us to trade up a few spots and draft a blue chip WR like Odunze, but there are a few reason why I doubt it will happen: - There is a strong likelihood that an excellent defensive player available at #15 at CB or DE - There will be good WR (Z) options in the 2nd round - Ballard doesn't like trading up, especially in the 1st round I guess we will see.

I agree with you on the WRs. My dream scenario would be if Rome Odunze falls just outside the Top 10, that Ballard trades his 1 and 2 to go up and get a true difference maker. But its probably not going to happen.

Big positive for me with how the young secondary played, despite the front not getting much pressure during the game. Brents, Jones, Lammons did well all things considered. Cross on the back end. I haven't got the snap count but it seemed Thomas was benched despite Blackmon's injury, which was interesting. But good to see Cross starting to emerge now.

I like the idea of drafting either one too. The thing is, they might be a little raw, but we still have Alec Pierce, so they won’t be under pressure from the start to deliver right away. They can be given time to develop, as both have a really high ceiling. Legette could be another Metcalf.